Fix problems with importing

If you're getting an error while importing information into Google Calendar, or if the results look wrong, use the tips below to help fix the problem.

Note: You can only follow these troubleshooting steps on a computer, not on a phone or tablet.

Check the steps that you used to export & import first

1. Read the steps for exporting from Google Calendar or check for Help information about exporting from another calendar application.
2. Read the steps for importing into Google Calendar.

Errors during importing

If you can see any of these errors, try these troubleshooting steps on your computer.

"Processed zero events"

Import ZIP files

1. Find the ZIP file on your computer.
2. Double-click to open it. You'll see ICAL files (ending in “ics”) for each of your calendars.
3. On your computer, open Google Calendar.
4. At the top right, click Settings   Settings.
5. Open the Calendars tab.
6. Click Import calendars (between the "My calendars" and "Other calendars" sections).
7. Click Choose file and select one of your ICAL files. You'll need to import each file that ends in “ics” individually.
8. Choose the calendar to which you want to add the imported events. Events will be imported into your main calendar by default.
9. Click Import.  Repeat the import steps for each file that ends in “ics”. 

Import CSV or ICAL files

You can also get the "Processed zero events" error if you clicked the Import button more than once. Because the file was imported correctly after the first click, the error message pops up on the second click because there aren't any new events to process. Check your calendar to make sure that all your events are there.

If this doesn't fix your problem, check the formatting of your CSV file or ICAL file.

"Processed x of y events"

This error is usually shown when Google Calendar can't read some of the events in your file.

Google Calendar only works with files created by major calendar applications like Microsoft Outlook, Apple Calendar and Yahoo Calendar. If you exported your file from one of these applications, try exporting it again and re-importing it into Google Calendar.

If this doesn't fix your problem, check the formatting of your CSV file or ICAL file.

"Google Calendar is temporarily unavailable"

File size is too large

This usually happens when the file is too big. Google Calendar works with files that are one megabyte (1 MB) or smaller.

If your file is too big, export a shorter date range from the original application. You can also separate the file into smaller files if you're comfortable with editing CSV or ICAL code manually.

Import started twice

You can also get the "Processed zero events" error if you clicked the Import button more than once. Because the file was imported correctly after the first click, the error message pops up on the second click because there aren't any new events to process. Check your calendar to make sure that all your events are there.

If this doesn't fix your problem, check the formatting of your CSV file or ICAL file.

"The connection to the server was reset"

This usually happens if the file isn't formatted correctly. To fix the format, check the formatting of your CSV file or ICAL file.

Errors after importing

If you can see any of these errors, use your computer to try these troubleshooting steps. 

Events are shown at the wrong time

Check your time zone first

Check that the time zone in Google Calendar matches the time zone in the original calendar application:

1. On your computer, open Google Calendar.
2. At the top right, click Settings   Settings.
3. In the "Your current time zone" section, select your time zone from the drop-down menu.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page, then click Save.

You'll also need to check the time zone settings in the calendar application from which you exported. If you need help, check the application's Help information.

Next, try importing again

After you've checked your time zone, export your file again and re-import it into Google Calendar.

Recurring events don't work

Some calendar applications will export repeating events as a collection of single events. Because Calendar reads events as the other calendar application exported them, they will be imported as one-off events.

Formatting errors

Imports might have errors because the formatting is wrong in the file. Choose your filetype below for tips on checking your file's formatting:

CSV file (file ends with "csv")

Check that your file uses a comma as the delimiter

Google Calendar doesn’t work with files that use a semi-colon (;) or colon (:) to separate fields. Make sure that all fields are separated with commas.

Check your file for the correct field headers 

CSV files must be correctly formatted to be imported. Learn more about creating or editing CSV files. 

Check your file size 

Google Calendar only works with  files that are one megabyte (1 MB) or smaller.

If your file is too big, export a shorter date range from the original application. You can also separate the file into smaller files if you're comfortable with editing CSV code manually.

ICAL file (file ends with "ics")

Check the formatting of your headers and footers

ICAL files must be correctly formatted to be imported. Learn more about creating or editing ICAL files.

Check your file size

Google Calendar only works with  files that are one megabyte (1 MB) or smaller.

If your file is too big, export a shorter date range from the original application. You can also separate the file into smaller files if you're comfortable with editing ICAL code manually.

I still need help

If you're still having issues, visit the Google Calendar Help Forum to get tips and suggestions from other users.